Above you will see the design sketch that was sent to me by the designers at Re;Code. As you can see, on the left are the garments I sent. The black wool (A) was a consignment store CDG piece that never quite fit me the way I would have liked. I wore it only once or twice and when organizing my clothes recently could not bear to give it up. The second was a find in a thrift store and is completely sheer but it was by Issey Miyake and was literally a steal.
It was really interesting because in some ways it felt almost sacrilegious to deconstruct these two masters, but I reasoned would the two designers really want to see their garments not being worn?. What was the point of having the clothes and not wearing them? After a series of communication between myself and some of the members of the Re;Code team, I felt like I could trust them to make something that conveyed their wonderful values yet honored the genetics of the pieces I sent. I was confident that these garments would become a piece I would wear in my everyday life.
I think it really interesting because some of you, on both the blog and Facebook, thought the Re;Code garment I wore in last Wednesday’s post put you in mind of early Sacai. Perhaps it is because the signature of that brand is also a taking apart and putting back together in different, unexpected but practical ways. The fashion critic Robin Givhan, in an article about Sacai calls the technique of taking apart something familiar and making it unfamiliar: “aesthetic grafting”. I love that!
Stay tuned for more pictures and stories of the evolution of my original Re;Code piece.
What memorable pieces do you have that you would be willing to refashion?
I liked the (a) model first for its classic symplicity then the reincarnation of (a) and (b) by re:code for its unique reassembly and really appreciate that they used the two garments that were not fun crooning for you and created a garment that wi be useful
Dear Lyn and fellow AI lovers,
I held a beautifully printed piece of material that was once the skirt of a dress for 30 years.
Finally, at the right time with the right dressmaker it became a dress.
Looking forward to your original Re;Code garment.
I recently refashioned an old Alexander McQueen skirt into a jacket which I love . ( you can see it on my IG page @sarahjw70). It feels really good to save an old favourite by creating something new.
I can’t wait to see the finished product! I think it takes real genius and skill to do this kind of redo, Re;Code work. I love it.
Really interested to learn more about Re;Code. I have the same feelings about altering garments by designers in drastic ways, but at the end of the day, I’m the one wearing it!
Yes indeed and stay tuned for more on Recode.
When I (briefly) offered personal styling services in Fairfield County, I came up with a similar idea, remixing pieces from a client’s wardrobe to create a new capsule, particularly for workwear with personality. I never launched, but perhaps I’ll bring it back now in Hartford County… so glad Re;Code is doing it at scale, and with such a great design perspective. And it’s given me the spark to solve a personal project: a b&w Adidas soccer jersey I found secondhand is going to have a fateful meeting with a vintage Ann Taylor silk blouse I had reluctantly thought I would have to part with…
I would love to get a photo of your finished product. I also think the time with so much focus on sustainability in fashion and less is more to launch your brilliant idea.
I saw your godaddy comercial on tv. I loved your attitude . you made me rethink myself.and i like your cloths colors and styles.i have saved my cloths for a long time even some from the 60s and revamped them.thanl you for being you.